That's the message for Ohio State and Northwestern heading into what could be the Big Ten's only showdown between undefeated teams in 2013.

Northwestern will channel its inner-2004; the last time the Wildcats beat Ohio State. That game also was in primetime at home. Pat Fitzgerald is 0-3 against Ohio State, however, and the Wildcats have been outscored 147-27 in those losses.

For Ohio State, it's the last chance to make a statement to AP voters before the season finale at Michigan. The Buckeyes are in a season-long beauty contest with Oregon, and right now Ohio State is behind.

RISING: Iowa. The season-opening loss to Northern Illinois is on the backburner. Iowa matched its win total from 2012, found stability at quarterback with Jake Rudock and allowed 21 points or less the last four weeks. Is that enough to pull out a make-it-ugly at home against Michigan State?

FALLING: Purdue. It's one thing to lose to a Mid-American Conference school. It's quite another to lose by 31 points. Boilermakers quarterbacks have combined for six TDs and eight interceptions, and Purdue won't be favored again. That's not the start first-year coach Darrell Hazell envisioned.

BOTTOM LINE: Wisconsin lost 31-24 to Ohio State, but Jared Abbrederis notched 10 catches for 207 yards and a TD, mostly against All-American cornerback Bradley Roby. Illinois made some waves by averaging 40.2 points per game through four weeks. The Illini should make it interesting against Nebraska. Michigan beat Minnesota 58-0 in the teams' last meeting at the Big House in 2011.